Jaxson
All nightI sent Poppy text messages, and all night she continued to ignore them.
It’s a long day at the office, and by the time I wrap things up, it’s dark as shit outside.
I start packing up my briefcase, and a shadow darkens the door. For a moment, I’m filled with hope as a female frame swivels in the shadows, and just as I’m about to call out for Eight Ball, Larissa’s face comes into view.
“You’re here late.” I finish buttoning up my briefcase and head for the door.
“Just as late as you. I think you’re working me too hard.” She reaches up and gives my earlobe a tug as we make our way to the elevator.
“Sorry about that. It’s Friday night. You should be out there having a good time with Conner. How are things going with the two of you, anyway?” I’ll admit I wasn’t impressed when they started getting close, but they really did appear to get along great last night. Not that I stayed after Poppy took off. I hit the door right after she did.
“Conner?” She laughs at the thought, and my heart breaks for my good friend. “We’re just friends.”
The elevator opens, and I step in after her.
“Don’t worry, Jax.” She gives my tie a quick tug. “Once Poppy leaves, you can have your place back on my mattress.”
My heart sinks. I’ve slept with Larissa, exactly twice, and I don’t plan on partaking in that madness ever again. The thought of being with anyone at all once Poppy leaves makes my balls want to shrivel up.
“You don’t need to save that spot for me.” It comes out far more despondent than I meant it to.
“Wow. She’s screwing with your head, isn’t she?”
“No, not at all. Poppy and I are good.” Are we? That sounds like the biggest lie of the year.
“That’s funny. She just about told me the same thing. She says she can’t wait to get back to L.A. and get on with her life. Sounds like she’s pretty tired of this charade the two of you have going on.”
My heart stops. “You didn’t say anything, did you?”
“Who me? Never. My lips are sealed.” She glances to my crotch. “Until you want them opened.”
I’m quick to look away from the invite. But I’m relieved she didn’t say anything to Pops. A few days ago Larissa evidently overhead Mack letting Conner in on our dirty little secret, and she came to me for affirmation. My hands were tied, so I told her it was true. But I know that she and Poppy have butted heads more times than not, and I’d hate for Riss to somehow use this situation to needle her.
We go our separate ways, and I sit in my truck for a minute, sending one last text to Poppy.
It’s our last night together before we dismantle what our mothers are already touting as their greatest living achievement, and I would love to see Poppy. Hell, I need to see her.
It’s not like her to ignore every text I send.
You either lost your phone or you just remembered you hate my guts. Want to give me a hint?As playful as I try to sound, I hate the words as I type them because I think I know what the answer will be.
A moment thumps by, and then miraculously my phone lights up.Phone’s here.
I can’t help but expel a dry laugh. “Smart ass.” At least she feels something for me—too bad it’s disdain.
My heart grows as heavy as the world. I used to feel her disappointment in me, her dislike, distrust, and I never understood where it was coming from. Time stepped between us, and then she was three states away in California. I’d love to clear things up. Get some answers. I can handle the fact she doesn’t like me, but I’m determined to find out why.
I don’t text back. Instead, I start the car and head on over to the Montgomery house.
Maybe after all these years, I’ll finally get the answers I’ve been looking for.
The moon is full, casting its brilliant blue shadow over the snow that outlines the road. The Montgomery home is dark as a tomb, and the only light around is the one coming from Poppy’s old bedroom. My heart warms at the sight of it. That’s where Poppy and I first made love. She became mine in the most intimate way, and I was more than happy to have her. I’ve never felt as strongly for anyone as I do for her, and it made everything that happened that night ten times more meaningful.
Instead of scaring her off with another text, I pick up a handful of change from my dash and head out just under her window. Carefully, I toss coin after coin up at the glass until the lights go off in her room and her face blinks into view.
I jump up and down, waving until her window slides open.
